List of birds of Wisconsin

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, bills which are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. Forty-five species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Black-bellied whistling-duck, Dendrocygna autumnalis (C) • Fulvous whistling-duck, Dendrocygna bicolor (A) • Snow goose, Anser caerulescens • Ross's goose, Anser rossii • Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons • Brant, Branta bernicla (A) • Cackling goose, Branta hutchinsii • Canada goose, Branta canadensis • Mute swan, Cygnus olor (I) • Trumpeter swan, Cygnus buccinator • Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus • Wood duck, Aix sponsa • Garganey, Spatula querquedula (A) • Blue-winged teal, Spatula discors • Cinnamon teal, Spatula cyanoptera (C) • Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata • Gadwall, Mareca strepera • Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope (C) • American wigeon, Mareca americana • Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos • American black duck, Anas rubripes • Northern pintail, Anas acuta • Green-winged teal, Anas crecca • Canvasback, Aythya valisineria • Redhead, Aythya americana • Ring-necked duck, Aythya collaris • Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A) • Greater scaup, Aythya marila • Lesser scaup, Aythya affinis • King eider, Somateria spectabilis (C) • Common eider, Somateria mollissima (A) • Harlequin duck, Histrionicus histrionicus (R) • Surf scoter, Melanitta perspicillata • White-winged scoter, Melanitta deglandi • Black scoter, Melanitta americana • Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis • Bufflehead, Bucephala albeola • Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula • Barrow's goldeneye, Bucephala islandica (C) • Smew, Mergellus albellus (A) • Hooded merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus • Common merganser, Mergus merganser • Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator • Masked duck, Nomonyx dominicus (A) • Ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis ==New World quail==

Order: GalliformesFamily: Odontophoridae The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits. One species has been recorded in Wisconsin. • Northern bobwhite, Colinus virginianus (R) ==Pheasants, grouse, and allies==

Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump with broad relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans. Eight species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo • Ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus • Spruce grouse, Canachites canadensis (R) • Willow ptarmigan, Lagopus lagopus (A) • Sharp-tailed grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus (R) • Greater prairie-chicken, Tympanuchus cupido • Gray partridge, Perdix perdix (I) (R) • Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) ==Flamingos==

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae One species has been recorded in Wisconsin. • American flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber (A) ==Grebes==

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. Five confirmed and one hypothetical species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Pied-billed grebe, Podilymbus podiceps • Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus • Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena (R) • Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (R) • Western grebe, Aechmorphorus occidentalis (R) • Clark's grebe, Aechmophorus clarkii (H) ==Pigeons and doves==

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. Eight species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) • Band-tailed pigeon, Patagioenas fasciata (A) • Eurasian collared-dove, Streptopelia decaocto (I) • Passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (E) • Inca dove Columbina inca (A) • Common ground dove, Columbina passerina (A) • White-winged dove, Zenaida asiatica (C) • Mourning dove, Zenaida macroura ==Cuckoos==

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails, and strong legs. Three species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Groove-billed ani, Crotophaga sulcirostris (A) • Yellow-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus americanus • Black-billed cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus ==Nightjars and allies==

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs, and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is cryptically colored to resemble bark or leaves. Three species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Common nighthawk, Chordeiles minor • Chuck-will's-widow, Antrostmus carolinensis (R) • Eastern whip-poor-will, Antrostomus vociferus ==Swifts==

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae The swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have very long, swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. One species has been recorded in Wisconsin. • Chimney swift, Chaetura pelagica ==Hummingbirds==

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Trochilidae Hummingbirds are small birds capable of hovering in mid-air due to the rapid flapping of their wings. They are the only birds that can fly backwards. Eight species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Mexican violetear, Colibri thalassinus (A) • Green-breasted mango, Anthracothorax prevostii (A) • Ruby-throated hummingbird, Archilochus colubris • Anna's hummingbird, Calypte anna (C) • Allen's hummingbird, Selasphorus sasin (A) • Rufous hummingbird, Selasphorus rufus (R) • Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris (A) • Buff-bellied hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis (A) ==Rails, gallinules, and coots==

Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and tend to be weak fliers. Eight species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • King rail, Rallus elegans (R) • Virginia rail, Rallus limicola • Sora, Porzana carolina • Common gallinule, Gallinula galeata • American coot, Fulica americana • Purple gallinule, Porphyrio martinicus (A) • Yellow rail, Coturnicops noveboracensis (R) • Black rail, Laterallus jamaicensis (A) ==Limpkin==

Order: GruiformesFamily: Aramidae Aramidae is a monotypic family, whose one species has been recorded in Wisconsin. • Limpkin, Aramus guarauna (A) ==Cranes==

Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae Cranes are large, long-legged, and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". Two species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Sandhill crane, Antigone canadensis • Whooping crane, Grus americana (R) ==Stilts and avocets==

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. Two species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Black-necked stilt, Himantopus mexicanus (R) • American avocet, Recurvirostra americana ==Plovers and lapwings==

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short thick necks, and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. Seven species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola • American golden-plover, Pluvialis dominica • Killdeer, Charadrius vociferus • Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus • Piping plover, Charadrius melodus (R) • Wilson's plover, Charadrius wilsonia (A) • Snowy plover, Charadrius nivosus (A) ==Sandpipers and allies==

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers, and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. Thirty-five confirmed and one hypothetical species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Upland sandpiper, Bartramia longicauda (R) • Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus (R) • Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis (A) (believed extinct) • Long-billed curlew, Numenius americanus (A) • Hudsonian godwit, Limosa haemastica (R) • Marbled godwit, Limosa fedoa (R) • Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres • Black turnstone, Arenaria melanocephala (A) • Red knot, Calidris canutus (R) • Ruff, Calidris pugnax (C) • Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (A) • Stilt sandpiper, Calidris himantopus • Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (A) • Sanderling, Calidris alba • Dunlin, Calidris alpina • Purple sandpiper, Calidris maritima (C) • Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii • Least sandpiper, Calidris minutilla • White-rumped sandpiper, Calidris fuscicollis • Buff-breasted sandpiper, Calidris subruficollis • Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos • Semipalmated sandpiper, Calidris pusilla • Western sandpiper, Calidris mauri (R) • Short-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus griseus • Long-billed dowitcher, Limnodromus scolopaceus • American woodcock, Scolopax minor • Wilson's snipe, Gallinago delicata • Spotted sandpiper, Actitis macularius • Solitary sandpiper, Tringa solitaria • Lesser yellowlegs, Tringa flavipes • Willet, Tringa semipalmata • Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus (H) • Greater yellowlegs, Tringa melanoleuca • Wilson's phalarope, Phalaropus tricolor • Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus (R) • Red phalarope, Phalaropus fulicarius (R) ==Skuas and jaegers==

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae Skuas and jaegers are in general medium to large birds, typically with gray or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers. Three species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (C) • Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus • Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (C) ==Auks, murres, and puffins==

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Alcidae The family Alcidae includes auks, murres, and puffins. These are short-winged birds that live on the open sea and normally only come ashore for breeding. Three confirmed and one hypothetical species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Dovekie, Alle alle (A) • Thick-billed murre, Uria lomvia (A) • Long-billed murrelet, Brachyramphus perdix (H) • Ancient murrelet, Synthliboarmphus antiquus (A) ==Gulls, terns, and skimmers==

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes, and skimmers. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Twenty-nine confirmed and two hypothetical species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla (C) • Ivory gull, Pagophila eburnea (A) • Sabine's gull, Xema sabini (R) • Bonaparte's gull, Chroicocephalus philadelphia • Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus (A) • Little gull, Hydrocoleus minutus (R) • Ross's gull, Rhodostethia rosea (A) • Laughing gull, Leucophaeus atricilla (R) • Franklin's gull, Leucophaeus pipixcan • Black-tailed gull, Larus crassirostris (A) • Common gull/short-billed gull, Larus canus/Larus brachyrhynchus (C) • Ring-billed gull, Larus delawarensis • California gull, Larus californicus (C) • Herring gull, Larus argentatus • Iceland gull, Larus glaucoides • Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus • Slaty-backed gull, Larus schistisagus (C) • Glaucous-winged gull, Larus glaucescens (A) • Glaucous gull, Larus hyperboreus • Great black-backed gull, Larus marinus • Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscata (A) • Least tern, Sternula antillarum (A) • Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica (H) • Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia • Black tern, Chlidonias niger • White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus (A) • Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii (H) • Common tern, Sterna hirundo • Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea (C) • Forster's tern, Sterna forsteri • Royal tern, Thalasseus maximus (A) ==Loons==

Order: GaviiformesFamily: Gaviidae Loons are aquatic birds the size of a large duck, to which they are unrelated. Their plumage is largely gray or black, and they have spear-shaped bills. Loons swim well and fly adequately, but are almost hopeless on land, because their legs are placed towards the rear of the body. Three species have been recorded in Wisconsin. • Red-throated loon, Gavia stellata • Pacific loon, Gavia pacifica (R) • Common loon, Gavia immer ==Petrels and shearwaters==